Book of Luke offers parables with an incredible wealth of truth
about salvation and LORD’s varied responses.
The
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15 (NIV)
3 Then Jesus told them this
parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of
them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the
lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and
goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice
with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell
you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Points to note:
·
Sheeps. They are naïve, meek, generally in
groups. They need a Leader. They cant work on their own.
·
There is One out of those 100 sheeps that gets
lost. Stats: 1% loss.
·
There is an able Shepherd to care for the Sheeps.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or
suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and
search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when
she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice
with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the
same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.”
Points to note:
·
A Silver coin. So valuable. It helps to live
this earthly life. Yet if invested right can produce more such Silver coins of
its value or coins more valuable than the invested Silver coin itself. Silver Coin
plays a role in both believers and non-believers life.
·
One out of 10 Silver coins is lost. Stats: 10%
loss.
·
It is managed by a woman/man with a keen
attention.
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus
continued: “There
was a man who had two sons. 12 The
younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that,
the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and
there squandered his wealth in wild
living. 14 After he
had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he
began to be in need. 15 So he
went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his
fields to feed pigs. 16 He
longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one
gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his
senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare,
and here I am starving to death! 18 I will
set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no
longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he
got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still
a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he
ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to
his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring
the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.24 For this
son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Points to note:
·
A Son. A human being. Man who was created in the
image of GOD. Epitome of GOD’s creation. One who can tame and rule the other
beings walking on the surface of the world.
·
One out of 2 is lost. Stats 50% loss.
·
Father who is compassionate, forgiving, loving
and rich is the care taker of this Son.
See the response of the LORD in each instance.
1.
Shepherd goes in search of that lost sheep and
bring him back in his shoulder
2.
Woman lights up the lamp and searches without
waiting for dawn to break up. She wants to make sure she finds this coin before
she goes to bed. This is her priority and first order of business.
3.
A Father who waits patiently.
Our LORD’s thought are not same as ours. He works in
mysterious ways when it comes to saving (salvation).
At least we can find 3
kinds of work here:
When there is a soul lost in ignorance, lost in its
brilliance, in its own understanding. The Shepherd sets out for a journey in
search of that drifted away sheep. The sheep is so worried and confused to
follow the lead. Sheep lacks comprehension. So the Shepherd carries the sheep. Young
Sheep must be at 25 pounds. But the Shepherd happily lifts him and carries home
on the shoulder.
Then there is this Valuable coin. There are souls who are so
talented, so valuable and they are lost. Like the Woman, the LORD lights up and
find him. Isn’t he the one who keep sweeping his eyes all over the world in
search of the souls. As he sweeps and find that Coin, he puts them in his vault
along with the other talented souls.
The last(lost? J
) but not the least, the Son. HIS son. HIS image. HIS Heir. HIS torch. HE gives
away what he wants. HE let his rejoice the world. HE let him lose. HE let him
suffer. HE waits for his return. For HE knows the plan. HE sees the “action” of
son returning home. HE doesn’t listen to what son has to say. HE is fine with
HIS son’s action of coming back. That’s what matters to him. HE orders HIS
servants/angel to “quickly’ change
his son’s situation, because that is HIS son. Yes, there are certainly people who
he view as HIS Sons/daughters. HIS response to their loss is different.
Every soul is so special, so unique and so different. LORD’s
approach to their salvation is that unique and special as well. You could have
been drifted away sheep, a lost coin and a son in a far away land. Take heart,
all is well with our LORD Christ Jesus who is our savior, redeemer and
advocate!
What a GREAT LORD we serve! A Caring Shepherd, A Perseverant
Woman, A Compassionate Father!
Praise the LORD!
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